Thousands of Pakistanis hold funeral for Shia Muslims killed in Peshawar

Thousands of Pakistanis have taken part in a funeral procession for the Shia Muslims who were recently killed in an attack in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Thousands of people gathered for the funeral event under tight security in Peshawar on Saturday.

A funeral ceremony was also held in the northwestern city of Kohat for some of the victims.

At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured when several pro-Taliban gunmen opened fire on worshippers inside a mosque in Peshawar and then blew up their explosives.

The attack happened two weeks after 61 people lost their lives when a powerful explosion hit another Shia mosque in southern Sindh Province.

Meanwhile, thousands of Pakistanis have staged massive rallies nationwide to protest the bloodshed.

Large crowds of protesters, including members of civil society and peace activists, poured into the streets of Peshawar to voice their outrage against the violence.

Similar rallies were held in other Pakistani cities, including the capital, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta.

The frequent incidents of violence against Shias in Pakistan have raised concerns in international organizations, while moderate Pakistani Sunni groups have described the issue as a conspiracy against the country.